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.House, one of his campaign leaders, totelegraph McDonald on October 15: Come immediately.Impor-tant.Bring your artillery. The next day from Quanah, Captain Billtersely wired back, Coming. 73This event, more than his friendship with Theodore Roosevelt,propelled McDonald onto the national stage.The mixture of factand fiction in the life of the Ranger captain had given him a regionalreputation in Texas and the Southwest.Now, from this day forward,McDonald s words and actions will be covered by the national press.In retrospect, this point becoming a national icon set apart thelawman from Quanah from his fellow Ranger captains.Thinking that House was in trouble, McDonald borrowed ashirt and some money and took a train to New York City.His{ }2 9 8 THE END COMES: STATE REVENUE AGENT AND OTHER ROLESarrival, about two days later, with a big white Stetson, a fourdays growth of beard, and his guns, created a sensation atDemocratic headquarters.74 Initially, Wilson s wife was morepleased than Wilson himself to see the former Ranger captain.Soonafter McDonald s arrival in New York, however, House wrote, Iarose at seven and went over to see Governor Wilson and CaptainBill at the Hotel Collingwood.They were just leaving for the train,but we had a few minutes conversation.Bill said the Governor wasthe finest fellow in the world, and the Governor seemed equallypleased with Bill and said he was taking good care of him. 75In the weeks that followed, McDonald, dubbed Silent Bill bynewspaper reporters, stayed with Wilson, day and night.He doggedthe footsteps of the Democratic candidate, took part in controllingcrowds, and kept his mouth shut.On October 19 in New York City,for example, Wilson spoke at two different places.At the BrooklynAcademy of Music, McDonald cleared a path through the crowd atthe entrance of the auditorium for Wilson s party.Later, atCarnegie Hall, McDonald and others tried to protect Wilson fromthe buffeting of his overenthusiastic admirers after his speech wascompleted.76 While in New York City, McDonald obtained a per-mit to carry a weapon.He said that he just did not feel natural (only half dressed ) without his revolver.77 In carrying out thesesecurity duties, the former Ranger captain spoke very little. I toldhim when he came not to say a word to anybody, House wrote, and he is carrying it out literally.I heard a reporter ask him who Iwas, and that is the only time I have heard him speak.He told thefellow that he was a stranger in New York and did not know. 78A few days before the election, Wilson and McDonald werereturning to Princeton, New Jersey, by a chauffer-driven limou-sine after a speaking engagement close by.The automobile, mov-ing at a speed of about fifteen miles per hour, hit a mound ofearth in the road.The jolt threw Wilson and McDonald againstthe roof of the car.Although McDonald was just shaken up andbruised, the Democratic candidate received a head wound which{ }2 9 9 YOURS TO C OMMANDhad to be treated by a physician.This was Wilson s only injuryduring the campaign.79On the day of the election, Wilson and McDonald went for awalk in the town of Princeton after breakfast.Then, as election bul-letins showed the Democratic candidate winning, McDonaldexclaimed, I wonder if I d get arrested if I just shot off my guns.Ifit keeps up this way, I ll have to just turn em loose. 80Captain Bill did not immediately leave the East after the elec-tion.On November 6 the newly elected President accompanied byMcDonald took a brisk walk in Princeton.Wilson saw a snake andpointed it out to McDonald, who, borrowing Wilson s cane, killedthe snake, although he also broke the cane.81 On November 8, justbefore he departed, McDonald looked over the Secret Serviceagents assigned to guard Wilson.The only things the Ranger didnot like were their.38 caliber weapons.He thought that this gunwould kill a person if you give him a week to die in. 82 AsMcDonald left for Texas, a saddened Wilson said, I formed anaffectionate regard for him.He has a combination of shrewd senseand simplicity of character that is very rare these days. 83Although Captain Bill was glad to return to Texas I getawful tired of walking on these rocks [city pavements], he oncecomplained to House84 his influence on President Wilson sadvisors lingered on.Wilson asked McDonald questions aboutthe abilities and background of Colonel House.85 In later years,McDonald became a defender of Wilson s policies and reputa-tion.When queried about the opposition to the president in theevents leading to America s entrance into World War I, McDon-ald responded, I would give [Robert] La Follette a swift, hardkick where it would do most good and take his tobacco away fromhim. 86 When rumors linked Wilson s name to several womenafter the death of his wife, a physician wrote that he felt likesending for Captain Bill and shooting [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |
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